Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A system for testing an Ethernet path in a network comprising: at least one pair of Ethernet devices coupled via an Ethernet path for transmitting non-test packets on said Ethernet path; and at least one test packet generator coupled to said Ethernet path comprising: a transmit credit block for storing an amount of credits representing a number of bytes that are available to transmit; a scheduler to determine when a test packet is to be created; and a packet creator to create one or more test packet to be transmitted on said Ethernet path.
Networking technology. This invention addresses the need for efficiently testing Ethernet communication paths within a network. The system facilitates the transmission of test packets alongside regular network traffic. The system includes at least two Ethernet devices connected by an Ethernet path, which is used for normal data transmission. Additionally, a test packet generator is connected to this Ethernet path. The test packet generator is equipped with a transmit credit block that holds a quantity of credits. These credits represent the total number of bytes that can be transmitted as test packets. A scheduler component within the generator determines the opportune moments for creating test packets. Finally, a packet creator is responsible for generating one or more test packets that will then be sent over the Ethernet path. This allows for the evaluation of the Ethernet path's performance or integrity by injecting specific test traffic.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said amount of credits are decremented by said transmit credit block each time a non-test packet is transmitted on the Ethernet path.
This invention relates to a system for managing transmit credits in an Ethernet network to prevent congestion and ensure reliable data transmission. The system monitors and controls the flow of non-test packets on an Ethernet path by dynamically adjusting a pool of available credits. A transmit credit block is used to decrement the available credits each time a non-test packet is transmitted, thereby limiting the number of packets that can be sent before requiring acknowledgment or replenishment of credits. This mechanism helps prevent network congestion by enforcing a controlled transmission rate, ensuring that the network does not become overwhelmed with unacknowledged packets. The system may also include a credit replenishment mechanism to restore credits after successful transmission acknowledgments, maintaining efficient data flow while avoiding congestion. The invention is particularly useful in high-speed Ethernet networks where packet loss and congestion can degrade performance. By dynamically adjusting transmit credits, the system ensures stable and reliable communication while optimizing network throughput.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the credits are incremented periodically.
A system for managing and distributing credits within a digital platform addresses the need for efficient incentive mechanisms in user engagement. The system tracks user activities, such as interactions, contributions, or transactions, and assigns credits based on predefined criteria. These credits can be redeemed for rewards, services, or privileges within the platform. The system includes a credit allocation module that determines the value of credits awarded for specific actions, ensuring fairness and transparency. A credit tracking module monitors the accumulation and usage of credits, while a redemption module facilitates the exchange of credits for rewards. The system also includes a periodic credit increment feature, where credits are automatically added to user accounts at regular intervals, encouraging sustained participation. This periodic increment can be based on factors such as user loyalty, activity levels, or platform policies. The system ensures seamless integration with existing user management and reward systems, enhancing user motivation and engagement. The periodic credit increment feature helps maintain user interest by providing continuous incentives, even during periods of lower activity.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the test packet generator includes an Ethernet port, and wherein the test packet generator is connected to the Ethernet path via the Ethernet port.
The invention relates to a system for testing Ethernet network paths. The system includes a test packet generator that produces test packets to evaluate the performance and reliability of an Ethernet network. The test packet generator is equipped with an Ethernet port, allowing it to connect directly to the Ethernet path under test. This direct connection enables the generator to transmit test packets into the network and receive responses, facilitating the assessment of network latency, packet loss, and other performance metrics. The system may also include additional components, such as a controller or analyzer, to process the results of the test packets and provide insights into network behavior. The Ethernet port ensures compatibility with standard networking equipment, making the system adaptable for testing various Ethernet-based networks. The invention addresses the need for accurate and efficient network testing by providing a direct, high-speed connection between the test generator and the network path.
5. A method for testing Ethernet paths in a network comprising: transmitting non-test packets on said Ethernet path between at least one pair of Ethernet devices coupled via said Ethernet path; storing an amount of credits representing a number of bytes; determining when a test packet is to be generated based on said amount of credits; generating and transmitting said test packet on said Ethernet path when said amount of credits is greater than a size of said test packet; and adjusting said amount of credits.
This invention relates to testing Ethernet paths in a network to ensure reliable communication between Ethernet devices. The problem addressed is the need to verify network performance without disrupting normal data traffic, particularly in high-speed or latency-sensitive environments where continuous testing could degrade performance. The method involves transmitting non-test packets (regular data traffic) between at least one pair of Ethernet devices connected via an Ethernet path. A credit system is used to track the number of bytes transmitted, with credits representing available bandwidth for testing. When the stored credits exceed the size of a test packet, a test packet is generated and transmitted on the Ethernet path. After transmission, the credits are adjusted to reflect the bandwidth used. This ensures that testing only occurs when sufficient bandwidth is available, minimizing interference with normal traffic. The credit-based approach dynamically determines when to inject test packets, allowing for periodic path verification without overloading the network. The method can be applied to any Ethernet path where testing must be balanced with regular data transmission, ensuring network reliability while maintaining performance. The system avoids fixed scheduling, instead adapting to real-time traffic conditions.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein said adjusting said amount of credits comprises: decrementing the amount of credits by said size of the test packet.
A system and method for managing network traffic flow control involves dynamically adjusting credit-based flow control mechanisms to optimize data transmission efficiency. The invention addresses the challenge of maintaining stable and efficient data transfer in network environments where packet loss or congestion can disrupt communication. The method includes monitoring network conditions, such as packet loss or congestion, and dynamically adjusting the amount of credits allocated to a sender based on these conditions. Credits represent the sender's permission to transmit data, and their adjustment ensures that the sender does not overwhelm the receiver or the network. Specifically, when a test packet is transmitted, the system decrements the amount of credits by the size of the test packet to account for the data sent. This adjustment prevents the sender from exceeding the receiver's buffer capacity or causing congestion. The method also includes mechanisms for detecting packet loss or congestion and dynamically increasing or decreasing the credit allocation accordingly. By dynamically adjusting credits, the system ensures that data transmission remains efficient and stable, even in fluctuating network conditions. The invention is particularly useful in high-speed or high-latency networks where traditional flow control methods may be ineffective.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein said adjusting said amount of credits comprises: periodically incrementing the amount of credits.
A system and method for managing credits in a digital platform, particularly in environments where user engagement or resource allocation is tracked and rewarded. The invention addresses the challenge of dynamically adjusting credit amounts to reflect changing user behavior, system demands, or other variables, ensuring fair and efficient credit distribution. The method involves periodically incrementing the credit amount assigned to users or system components. This adjustment can be based on predefined intervals, such as time-based increments (e.g., daily, weekly) or event-based triggers (e.g., after a certain number of transactions). The periodic increments ensure that credits remain relevant and aligned with current system conditions, preventing stagnation or imbalance in credit distribution. The method may also include additional steps such as monitoring user activity, assessing system performance, or evaluating external factors (e.g., market conditions) to determine the appropriate increment value. The increments can be uniform across all users or tailored to specific groups or individuals based on predefined criteria. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enhances flexibility and adaptability in credit management systems, improving user engagement and system efficiency.
Unknown
September 29, 2020
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